Chapter 3 The Moon Gathering

The Silver Crest Pack had never looked so alive.

By the time the sun began to set, lanterns had already been lit across the pack grounds. Warm golden light glowed from the packhouse windows while long wooden tables were arranged outside beneath the open sky.

The Full Moon Gathering happened only once a year.

It was a night when rivalries were set aside, when packs shared food and stories beneath the moon. It was also the night many wolves secretly hoped for.

The night fate revealed mates.

Lira stood near the kitchen entrance, adjusting the tray of glasses she carried. Her hands trembled slightly, though she wasn't sure why.

The pack felt... different tonight.

Charged.

As if the air itself was humming with anticipation.

"Lira."

She looked up.

The older omega, Mara, stood beside her.

"Are you alright?" Mara asked softly.

"Yes," Lira replied quickly. "Just nervous."

"That's normal tonight."

Mara smiled kindly, something few people in the pack ever did.

"Just remember to stay near the serving tables. The visiting Alphas will bring strong auras."

Lira nodded.

She had heard that before.

Powerful wolves carried energy that weaker wolves could feel. Sometimes it made omegas dizzy or uncomfortable.

But tonight...

Something inside Lira felt restless instead.

Almost curious.

Mara gently touched her arm.

"If you feel overwhelmed, step outside for air."

"I will."

The older woman nodded and walked away.

Lira picked up her tray again just as a loud howl echoed across the pack territory.

One of the warriors near the entrance straightened.

"They're here."

The visiting packs had arrived.

Outside the main hall, wolves began gathering near the entrance.

Warriors lined the path as guests approached the packhouse.

Lira stepped carefully between the tables, placing fresh glasses down while trying not to draw attention to herself.

She heard the first group arrive.

The Iron Ridge Pack.

Their Alpha greeted Silver Crest's Alpha with loud laughter and firm handshakes.

More wolves followed.

The River Fang Pack.

Then the Storm Valley Pack.

Each arrival brought stronger scents and stronger energy into the air.

Lira could feel it building like pressure in her chest.

But it wasn't overwhelming.

Not the way Mara had described.

Instead...

It felt like something inside her was waking up.

She paused for a moment.

A strange warmth spread through her chest again.

The same feeling she had felt beneath the forest moon.

Before she could think about it further-

Another howl echoed across the valley.

This one was different.

Deeper.

Stronger.

Dominant.

Every wolf in the courtyard fell silent.

One of the warriors whispered quietly.

"Nightfall."

The Nightfall Pack had arrived.

The moment Alpha Kael stepped onto Silver Crest territory, he felt it.

Something shifted in the air.

His wolf stirred instantly.

Mate.

Kael froze mid-step.

His Beta, Roran, noticed immediately.

"What is it?"

Kael inhaled slowly.

The scent was faint.

But unmistakable.

Warm.

Soft.

And completely intoxicating.

His wolf pushed forward inside his mind.

She's here.

Kael's eyes darkened.

After years of waiting...

His mate was somewhere inside this pack.

Roran watched him carefully.

"You smell her, don't you?"

Kael nodded once.

"Yes."

Roran grinned.

"Well, that explains the look on your face."

Kael ignored the comment.

His senses sharpened.

Every scent.

Every movement.

Every heartbeat around him.

The bond was pulling him forward.

Drawing him toward the packhouse.

Toward her.

Inside the main hall, music had begun playing.

Wolves laughed and talked around the long tables as food was served.

Lira moved quietly between them with her tray.

She tried not to notice how many eyes were watching the visiting Alphas.

But the moment the Nightfall Pack entered the hall...

Everything changed.

The air grew heavier.

Even the music seemed to soften.

Lira felt it instantly.

A powerful presence filled the room.

Her heart began beating faster for no reason she could explain.

She kept her head down as she approached one of the tables.

"Wine?" she asked softly.

No one answered.

A strange silence spread through the hall.

Lira frowned slightly.

Then she felt it.

A pull.

Strong.

Sudden.

Her head lifted before she could stop herself.

And across the crowded hall...

Her eyes met his.

Alpha Kael.

The world seemed to stop.

The moment their gazes locked-

Something inside Lira's chest exploded with warmth.

Kael's breath caught.

His wolf roared inside his mind.

MATE.

The word echoed through him like thunder.

He stared at the girl across the room.

Small.

Quiet.

Dressed in simple servant clothes.

An omega.

Impossible.

But the bond didn't lie.

The Moon Goddess never made mistakes.

Kael began walking toward her.

Every wolf in the hall instinctively stepped aside as the powerful Alpha moved forward.

Lira's heart pounded harder with every step he took.

Why was he coming toward her?

Had she done something wrong?

When he finally stopped in front of her, she could barely breathe.

The tray in her hands trembled slightly.

Kael stared down at her.

Up close, her scent was overwhelming.

His mate.

After all these years.

His wolf growled softly with satisfaction.

Ours.

Lira lowered her gaze immediately.

"Alpha," she whispered respectfully.

Kael's voice came out low and steady.

"Look at me."

Her eyes lifted slowly.

The moment she looked into his silver gaze...

The bond snapped fully into place.

Kael felt it surge through his entire body.

Powerful.

Unbreakable.

His wolf surged forward inside him.

Claim her.

The entire hall waited in breathless silence.

Then Kael spoke the words that would change everything.

"MATE!!."

Gasps erupted across the room.

Lira's eyes widened.

"What...?"

Kael didn't look away from her.

"You are mine."

Across the hall, Clara shot to her feet in shock.

"That's impossible!"

But Kael ignored her.

His gaze remained locked on the girl in front of him.

The omega.

The one no one expected.

The one the Moon Goddess had chosen.

His Luna.

And far above them, the moon shone brighter.